Impact & Innovation

Demonstrating Impacts

With the growing pressure on the world’s forests and increasing demand for undisputable proof of positive impact, the ability to verify and communicate outcomes of certification is central to FSC. It is also important for FSC to understand the effects FSC-certification has on the ground to facilitate future learning and to enable informed and impact-oriented decision making as part of FSC developments, e.g. in the standard setting processes.

Currently, the two main sources of evidence used to demonstrate outcomes and impacts of FSC certification are internally generated data and independent scientific studies.

Internally generated data

FSC-certified forest managers must have an annual assessment carried out by an FSC-accredited certification body. In the event that forest management does not meet FSC requirements, corrective actions are requested by certification bodies for forest managers to gain, or maintain, FSC certification. Such actions are called corrective action requests (CARs).

CARs focus on several indicators related to FSC standards, such as ecosystem services, biodiversity, health and safety, etc. For each certification assessment, certification bodies produce a report that contains information about the certified forest management unit, including CARs that have been issued.

These reports are available in the FSC certificate holder database to allow anybody to access information from certification assessments. The analysis of CARs provides some insights into the impacts resulting from FSC certification.
Independent scientific studies

FSC has been collecting and analysing a wide range of scientific studies about FSC over the years as part of monitoring and evaluation activities. To increase internal and external access to the relevant information they contain, we collate results from scientific studies.

The FSC Impact Dashboard is an interactive and user-friendly tool that allows you to navigate through a compilation of isolated results from scientific studies about the outcomes of FSC-certification across the world’s forests.

FSC Impact Dashboard

FSC and the SDGs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries. The work of FSC is helping achieve 40 targets under the SDGs. FSC helps achieve sustainable forest management in the world, one of the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land). The broad environmental, social, and economic focus of the FSC forest stewardship principles also contribute to the SDGs focused on poverty, equality, natural resources, production and consumption patterns, decent work, climate change, inclusive and accountable societies, and global partnerships.

Together we are FSC

Go on an adventure around the globe to meet the people behind some of the world's FSC-certified forests and organisations.

Together we have the power to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Eudoxie's story

Eudoxie lives and works in an FSC-certified forest in Gabon.

Pertii's story

For Finnish forest manager, Pertii, the forest provides more than just timber.

Nina & Jenny's story

Swedish sisters, Nina and Jenny manage the forest they inherited from their father to FSC standards.

Osvaldo & Luis' story

Osvaldo and Luis live in Mexico, they help to manage their community's FSC-certified forest.

Taimi's story

Taimi is Supervisor at an FSC-certified charcoal factory in Namibia.

Working together

We are a global platform for partnerships around the sustainable use of forest products.

Advancing the future of certification

Circular Economy

FSC recognises the need to expand the organisation’s impact in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. That is why circular economy principles are on FSC’s strategic agenda.

Learn More